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How to Become a Travel Agent and Work From Home

Author: Holly Reisem Hanna

June 1, 2023 Leave a Comment

Do you love to travel? Do you have wanderlust? Are you a master at finding great travel deals?

Becoming a work from home travel agent might be your ideal work at home career path!

Working as a travel agent might seem a little outdated in today’s world of Kayak and Airbnb, but in reality, many people still prefer to work with travel agents.

Experienced travel planners help travelers save money, time, and travel-related headaches.

Home-based travel agents generally work for a host agency (a company bonded and accredited by the Airlines Reporting Corporation or the International Airlines Travel Agents Network) as independent contractors.

As a travel agent, you’ll earn a commission on the travel arrangements (flights, hotels, rental cars, travel excursions , and more) you book, and you’ll often have access to special deals and travel discounts. You can choose to work in a particular niche, such as cruises or business travel, or work with clients looking into a specific type of travel (adventure, Disney vacations, eco-friendly, budget, or luxury travel).

One of the great things about becoming a work at home travel agent is that it’s a relatively easy startup business idea, and the costs are low. With a basic home office (including an internet connection, a phone, computer, printer, and website), you can get started with a host agency.

So if you love to travel or if you love to help other people fulfill their vacation dreams, you may want to start a home-based travel agent business!

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Travel Agent?

The basic skills you’ll need as a travel agent include attention to detail, excellent research and communication skills, high-level organizational skills, and a knowledge of geography and travel destinations. You’ll also need to be tech-savvy and have a solid understanding of programs like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. 

If you’re working as an independent contractor, the host company will usually train you; some host agencies charge a fee, while others do not. While there are travel agent certificate programs that you can take, you may be able to break into a travel role if you have customer service, hospitality, marketing, or sales experience under your belt.

Getting Started as a Work at Home Travel Agent

According to Host Agency Reviews, travel agents with three years of experience make an average of $46,400 per year . However, there are some travel agents making six figures per year. It all depends on your experience, the number of clients you retain, hours worked, and commission and support from your host agency.

Agents who work in specific markets or on particular vacation types (like destination weddings or luxury travel) can become very familiar with their market and, thus, enjoy even greater success. Working in particular markets, like weddings or corporate travel, can also make a big difference regarding salary.

Remote Travel Agent and Consultant Jobs

If starting your own business seems intimidating, many companies within the travel and hospitality industry hire at-home travel consultants, reservationists, and planners for full-time and part-time positions. Best of all, many of these positions come with travel perks!

To start, you may want to explore:

• American Express
• Kemp Travel Group
• Vail Resorts
• Working Solutions
• World Travel Holdings

Exploring Host Agencies

Finding a good host agency is key to getting started as an at-home travel agent. If you’re just starting, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with host agency options to get a feel for what each can offer.

• American Society of Travel Advisors
• Cruise Planners
• Disney Vacation Planner
• Dream Vacations Advisors
• Dugan’s Travel

How to Select a Great Host Agency

When it comes to what they offer their consultants, travel agencies vary significantly. There are many factors to consider besides who offers the best commission.

For example, do you prefer a large agency or a small agency? Locally-based hosting can be easier for new agents who might need extensive support and training. On the other hand, national agencies may offer more flexibility and growth.

Carefully weigh your agency options and perform background research. Sites like Host Agency Reviews and Find a Host Travel Agency can help. They offer tips and ratings for finding the best travel agency that fits your needs.

Perks of Becoming a Travel Agent

Aside from being a fun business opportunity, being a travel agent offers some amazing perks .

If you enjoy travel, you might enjoy taking “FAM trips” or “familiarization trips” to various locales. Cruise lines, hotels, and tour guides know the best way for you to sell their services is for you to try them firsthand. So they offer perks, including complementary and deeply discounted fares, as well as opportunities to use their services and explore all your amazing options.

You can also save big on your own travel with great discounts! You’ll score awesome deals before anyone else even hears about them. As a travel agent, you’ll have access to discounts because, of course, the more you travel, the more business experience you rack up.

The best part? You can deduct those travel expenses from your taxes as part of your business! You can also deduct things like advertising and expenses related to your clients. This amounts to big tax savings for you!

Other Ways to Make Money in the Travel Industry

If you love the idea of working and traveling, but you’re unsure about becoming a travel agent or consultant, there are many other options available.

Traveling to another country as an Au Pair is a great option if you enjoy working with children. When you work as an Au Pair, you’ll live with a family, helping them with household chores and childcare. In return, you’ll get free room and board and a small stipend that you can use on your days off. Being an Au Pair allows you to experience life in another country for an extended period of time. Becoming an Au Pair does come with some fees you’ll need to pay, such as your flights, travel visa, and insurance.

Customer Service Representative

Customer service is an excellent way to break into the travel industry and work from home! Many companies provide full training for these roles as well as a host of benefits. You can work for airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel booking sites, and other travel-related sites and industries. For these work from home positions, you’ll generally need your own device (laptop or computer) and a high-speed internet connection. Check out this article for a list of hospitality companies that hire remote customer service reps.

ESL Teacher

You’ve probably heard of being an online ESL tutor , but did you know you can travel to another country to teach English as a second language? Most countries require ESL teachers to have a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. Like being an Au Pair, there will be fees for your flights, travel visa, and insurance. Depending on which host company you use and which country to travel to, your housing may be free or purchased at a reduced cost. How much you can earn will vary as well. For more information on traveling and making money as an ESL tutor, check out the resources below.

• EF (Education First)
• International TEFL Academy
• Premier TEFL

Local Coordinator

If you enjoy working with high school and college students, consider becoming a local coordinator . In these independent contracting roles, you’ll work with educational organizations and programs to place and mentor students interested in foreign exchange programs. These part-time positions are a flexible and easy way to make extra money from home. Some programs also offer incentive trips and perks for their local coordinators.

• Education, Travel, and Culture – Earn $700-$1,600 per student
• International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) – Average earnings are $8,000 a year

Social Media Marketer Specializing in Travel

Do you love to travel and you’re looking for ways to earn money from home, there are plenty of opportunities to take your travel beyond Instagram snaps and shares on Facebook… but if you’re really great at social media, you could also become a social media manager in the travel industry! Many of these positions allow you to work from home for a travel-based company, sharing posts and connecting with their customers.

If you prefer to create your own schedule and be your own boss, become a local tour guide! With this idea, you’ll need to be in the know about the food, culture, and history of the area you’re helping tourists explore. With apps like  Showaround  and  Viator , you can create your tour, book customers, and make money from your travel expertise. You can also look at local tour operators and see if they have any openings for tour guides. Explore this article for more tips on making money as a tour guide .

Travel Writer

Magazines, guidebooks, and websites are often looking for freelance travel writers to contribute their experiences and give readers recommendations. If you have writing and communication skills and you travel often, this might be an excellent option for you.

The income for travel writers varies greatly, but many writers make great money by documenting and sharing their travels. Travel writers, according to ZipRecruiter , earn an average of $24 per hour. I think these numbers sound high, but I wasn’t able to find any other stats for how much travel writers really earn.

Travel Blogger

If you prefer to write and document your own travels, start a travel blog ! With blogging, you can make money with affiliate marketing, ad networks, sponsorships, product sales, and more! The great thing about blogging is it’s affordable and easy to set up, and there are many free ways to promote your content through social media. My friend, Julie Bonner, has a travel blog where she documents her family’s RV travels. In one year, she was able to generate $5,000 a month from her blog, all while traveling the United States and Canada.

Travel Influencer

Have you been documenting your travels on social media? Then make money while traveling the world as a social media travel influencer. Whether your specialty is Instagram , Pinterest, TikTok , or YouTube , you can earn good money through paid sponsorships, advertising, and affiliate marketing. Besides building an engaged audience of followers, you’ll need to become skilled at taking photos and videos, editing, and writing captions. How much you can earn as a travel influencer will depend on how many followers you have, your reach, your engagement, and which platforms you’re using. According to this article in Vogue , a travel influencer with 1-4 million followers can earn $31,000 per post!

Travel Nurse

If you’re a registered nurse , you can sign up to become a travel nurse. These nurses travel to areas where there are nursing shortages in work in a wide variety of settings. Nurses typically work in one location for 13-16 weeks, then move on to another location. Not only is travel nursing a great way to see the country, but it’s also lucrative. The average travel nurse can earn $59.66 per hour plus housing stipends. If you’re interested in travel nursing, check out these sites for assignments.

• Health Carousel Travel Nursing

If you have a passion for travel, there are many ways you can earn money working in the travel industry. From becoming a work at home travel agent to finding ways to document and share your own travel experiences—there’s an opportunity for every traveler out there. Explore your options and pack your suitcase! Check out this post if you’re looking for ways to make money while you travel the world!

Originally published February 25, 2009. Updated June 2023.

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About the Author

Holly Reisem Hanna

Holly Reisem Hanna is a former nurse who decided to start a blog to make money from home while caring for her daughter. Since its inception in 2009, The Work at Home Woman has helped millions of readers find legitimate work at home jobs and business ideas. Under Holly's guidance, The Work at Home Woman was named one of the best websites for your career by Forbes two years in a row. Holly graduated from the University of Texas and has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Woman’s World Magazine, CNN, and many others.

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Homeworking Guide: Getting started as a travel homeworker

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Becoming your own boss is a big step. So it’s understandable for anyone embarking on a career as a self-employed travel homeworker to feel anxious.

“Becoming a homeworker for the first time is a very exciting and ambitious move,” says Abbie Heaton, sales manager of Blue Bay Travel’s new homeworking division, Personal Travel Consultants. However, Heaton admits: “Starting out can be the hardest part.”

Not Just Travel co-founder Steve Witt agrees. “It’s natural to feel daunted, but when you join you realise you’re not alone. It’s like a big family,” he says.

Step one: Planning

One of the first and most important steps when starting out is to write a business plan – this is the foundation on which to build the business.

It should feature short and long-term targets including a realistic end goal, financial planning, strategy, marketing and customer service.

Witt says: “It’s important to have it right from the start to help you stay on track.”

Without a plan, homeworkers are in danger of ending up with “a lack of direction” and under-achieving, says InteleTravel UK director Tricia Handley-Hughes. She stresses: “Be realistic with your ambition.”

Heaton suggests homeworkers create a plan for years one to three, including how to gain turnover in quiet times and how to prepare for peaks. She says that many firms ask homeworkers to write a plan as part of their application to decide if they are “right for each other”.

Holidaysplease brand and business growth executive Cat Reeves says the plan is discussed at the interview stage and revisited over the next two years to ensure agents are “on the right path”.

Importantly, it needs to be written “honestly and realistically”, she adds.

Travel Specialists by Advantage asks applicants to work out minimum monthly earning expectations and a monthly marketing plan to acquire new customers, while Hays Travel Homeworking has introduced pre‑interview ‘insight’ sessions where a business plan can be discussed or worked on collaboratively.

Hays Travel Homeworking marketing and homeworking director John Milburn says: “We find these sessions to be powerful, giving applicants realistic expectations.”

Step two: Setting up an office

During the pandemic, kitchen tables have become the new desks, but the key to any home office is comfort.

“As long as homeworkers can be comfortable and concentrate, then anything goes,” says Kelly Cookes, leisure director for The Advantage Travel Partnership.

There needs to be space for a laptop and phone, but Reeves also suggests homeworkers find somewhere they feel “inspired”.

And while a kitchen table can work initially, most firms agree a space away from distractions is sensible in the longer term.

Heaton says: “Find an area, ideally a room, where you can create a professional office area.”

Witt advises homeworkers to create an office they “want to be in”, using inspirational travel pictures, maps or family photos.

Step three; Generate leads

What stage homeworkers reach after six months will depend on the time and effort put into the job. “You’ll get out of it what you put in,” says Milburn.

Handley-Hughes believes training is key for travel newcomers. “Allocate your training hours as a discipline,” she says.

Teaming up with local businesses such as wedding venues for joint promotions and building a social media ‘shop window’ is key early on.

Cookes says: “Start with one social media platform and get that right, rather than launching on all of them at once.”

Marketing can be cheap, even free, by networking with businesses, sports teams or special-interest groups, but acquiring customers is likely to take up much of a homeworker’s time in the first few months.

Agents should aim to have a contacts database and be making daily sales, says Witt. “Everyone you speak to is a potential customer,” he adds.

Heaton says product knowledge, being comfortable selling and offering the “right fit” for clients is crucial to success. She encourages agents to work hard on creating relationships, asking friends to spread the word and focusing on small gestures such as birthday cards and ‘welcome home’ notes.

“Sweat the small stuff,” she says. “Customers will remember that for next time.”

Step four: Analyse and adapt

After six months to a year, most homeworkers should have settled into a routine while starting to earn commissions and gaining loyal clients.

For those on instant commissions, earnings will start to come in soon after bookings are made. Reeves says: “By six months, agents start to see some customers travelling too, so the income can begin to grow more quickly.”

Now is a good time for homeworkers to start making the business their own.

Heaton suggests identifying booking patterns or marketing opportunities. “It’ll still be tough, but the resilience will pay off,” she says.

A strategy to generate last-minute and future bookings is wise to maintain income levels as this can be a tricky stage for homeworkers who have prioritised holidays with long lead-in times.

“Homeworkers will have put a lot of time into their businesses but may not yet be seeing huge amounts of income,” warns Cookes.

Handley-Hughes’ advice is to build customer relationships. “Understand your customers so that you can adapt marketing and products to suit them,” she adds.

Step five: Long-term goals

Repeat bookers and customer referrals are a sure bet to generate income in the long term.

Looking after clients through having regular communication and advice that they cannot get elsewhere is vital. “They will have no reason not to return,” says Witt.

Existing customers are also agents’ biggest advocates. As well as asking customers to give recommendations, Cookes suggests encouraging clients to post positive reviews.

Homeworkers should look to further local relationships through networking or social media and consider investing in professional marketing material or merchandise to promote their business.

“Spread your business further,” says Heaton. “Offer incentives to local firms to book with you and support them in return.”

Debbie Mynard, Travel expert, Holidaysplease

Q. Why did you become a homeworker during the pandemic? A. I started in November 2020. My employer, Voyager Travel Direct, had gone into liquidation and my father died in April after contracting Covid. I had redundancy money as well as inheritance, but missed the buzz of travel.

Q. How difficult has it been? A. It was a challenge! I’ve had to put everything into it. I didn’t have many customers so I set up appointments for my first day from the enquiry pool [sales leads] at Holidaysplease. They are ‘lookers’ and I had to turn them into ‘bookers’.

Q. What was your first sale? A. One of my first bookings was the biggest I’ve ever done, a £17,000 ski booking. In the end, it couldn’t go ahead due to Covid, but the client has since booked with me. It’s not been easy but now there’s more hope.

Q. How quickly did you start earning? A. We get half the commission upfront in the month after booking. I took a booking in December 2020 for 12 people going to Mauritius, and was paid half in January and will get the other half this November.

Q. What does it take to be a homeworker? A. You have to be disciplined and have a strong sales drive.

Cheryl Mallon, Homeworker, The Holiday Village

Q. Had you thought of becoming a homeworker before now? A. I’d flirted with the idea over the years but timing, financial circumstances and working in a specialist area of tour operations for years meant it never struck me as the right thing to pursue until recently.

Q. What hours do you work? A. I work around my customers so I don’t set an open and close time. I manage what comes in and react to it.

Q. What is the key difference between your previous job and now? A. In previous roles I worked with suppliers and ground handlers directly, so it’s taken a bit of getting used to being a customer of the tour operator.

Q. Was it harder than you thought to get started as a homeworker? A. Understanding the different media and what works was a puzzle initially, as was adapting to being on the other side of the fence after many years on the tour operator side. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy during the pandemic, but I thrive on challenging myself.

Q. What’s the best thing about homeworking? A. The flexibility, knowing that my passion is my success, and having an amazing, supportive team behind me.

Q. Will you stay in it for the long term? A. Absolutely. After 30-plus years in various travel roles, I know I’ve made the right decision.

Travel homeworking: Ask the experts

Paul Harrison co-founder, Not Just Travel “Pick a company to work with that has a proven track record. No matter how experienced you are, ensure that whoever you choose to work with has the team, tools and support to help accelerate your business to the next level.”

Tricia Handley-Hughes, UK director, InteleTravel “Create a business plan and keep it to hand. Good admin will help you keep on top of payment deadlines; use files for your customer bookings and documentation.”

Mark Smith head of business development, Simplexity Travel “With working from home the ‘new normal’ there has never been a better time to consider a remote position. To succeed, you need discipline, self-motivation and drive. We’ll help with the rest.”

Sarah Hillard premier homeworker, Hays Travel “Have a dedicated workspace, plan but be flexible and work with your company for results. Most importantly, enjoy it. You have the freedom to be your own boss and build a business. Don’t be impatient, your hard work will pay off!”

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Raise your hand if you love to travel. Whether you’re often on the road or take a vacation just once a year, you’ve probably heard of travel agents. These folks help plan and book itineraries for you, eliminating a lot of the pain points when it comes to traveling.

These days many people skip out on a travel agent in lieu of booking their trip online, but if you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to become a travel agent yourself. Why? Because it can save you a lot of money — and may even earn you some in the process.

Let’s take a look at how to become a travel agent, why it’s something you may want to consider and the ways it can work for you.

Why become a travel agent?

Have you ever obsessively researched the best hotels in a city you’re planning to visit? How about checking seat maps on an airplane? If getting into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics is something you do in your spare time, you might also enjoy becoming a travel agent.

Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel.

This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

» Learn more: How to get a refund from a travel agency

How to become a travel agent

Find a program.

Becoming a travel agent isn’t as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that’ll teach you the basics of running your own travel business.

There are a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals. Most programs will teach you about the business side of being a travel agent as well as how to plan trips, so your courses in itinerary planning and travel insurance will be coupled with business ethics and customer service.

If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent from home, don’t worry. Many of these courses don’t have to be done in person; there are online programs that will teach you everything you need to know from the comfort of your living room.

Apply for certification

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll want to apply for certification. Although there is no single standard that designates you a travel agent, there are a number of different identifiers that you can acquire. Some of the more common ones are:

International Air Transport Association, or IATA, which allows you to book travel on domestic and international airlines.

Travel Industry Designator Service, or TIDS, which allows agents to book trips with a variety of travel suppliers and receive commissions.

Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, which provides agents the ability to book trips on cruises around the world.

In order to access Marriott’s travel advisor rates, for example, you can use any three of these designations, along with a variety of others.

Each of these associations and identifiers have different implications for your business, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve fully researched them before applying for membership.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Save money as a travel agent

Once you’ve qualified as a travel agent, what comes next? If you travel frequently, becoming a travel agent can be a huge benefit to you, as it offers discounted rates and access to luxury travel options.

Discounted rates

Travel agents have access to negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. The exact amount will vary depending on the business. Hilton, for example, will give personal travel discounts of 50% off at newly-opened hotels and up to 25% off at the remainder of hotels within Hilton’s portfolio.

Hyatt, meanwhile, will give you a discount on personal travel of up to 50%, but only during select dates of the year. And although not all airlines give discounts to travel agents, many do.

Regardless, these are some pretty spectacular savings, and if you’re looking to save money on your vacations, being a travel agent can help.

Luxury programs

Becoming a travel agent isn’t only about saving money, however. It also grants you access to many hotel chains’ luxury travel programs.

If you’re big into elite status benefits, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider — especially since you don’t need any status at all to receive these perks, as long as you book through the hotel’s agent portal.

Most major hotel chains have these programs, including Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

While benefits vary by brand, many of these offers include things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, early check-in or late checkout and credits for expenses like dining or spa services. General consumers aren’t eligible for these programs, but once you’ve become a registered travel agent, they become accessible to you; however, some programs — such as Hyatt Privé — are invitation only.

For the most part, booking rooms through these programs shouldn’t cost more than the standard rate you’d be paying anyway, so you have the potential to get big benefits without shelling out any additional money.

However, note that these numbers don’t take into account any other discounted rates for which you may be eligible, such as those offered to American Automobile Association members and veterans .

» Learn more: Uncommon tips for saving money on travel

Earn money as a travel agent

Of course, becoming a travel agent isn’t all about scoring discounts for yourself. If you’re looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so.

Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you’ll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales. Courses such as those mentioned above can help train you to do this and run a successful business.

If booking travel and organizing trips for others is something that appeals to you, there’s definitely money to be earned. Marriott, for example, gives agents a commission of between 8% and 10% for all eligible stays booked.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of booking through online travel agencies

If you’d like to become a travel agent

There are a few good reasons to become a travel agent, especially if you travel a lot. Although it takes time and effort to complete training and apply for accreditation, the benefits you’ll receive as a travel advisor can be significant. This is true whether you’re booking personal travel or have built yourself a client base. Either way, there’s money to be had — and saved.

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Homeworking Travel Consultant Opportunities

Freedom to choose.

Hays Travel is the UK's largest independent travel agency with a strong high street retail presence. However, over the last 20 years, we've grown and diversified with the extension of our business into homeworking travel consultants with a network of now more than 400 homeworker partners in our family.

We know how exciting the journey of starting a new business can be so we offer a variety of options to suit your lifestyle - whether you're an experienced travel consultant or brand new to the industry and would like to leverage our Travel Academy. There's flexibility to work your own hours to suit your personal circumstances and commitments, as well as freedom to set your own goals without targets and have uncapped earning potential.

Click below to get started, whether you are new to travel or have previous experience

New to travel – academy.

If you have no previous travel experience but have a passion for sales and travel and want to take the first steps into setting up your own business, or have been out of travel 10 years or more we have two fabulous Academy Models for you to choose from and support you get your business off the ground.

• Competitive Commission Earning Potential
• Support from a Business Development Coach
• Access to our ATOL protected Hays Tour Operator
• Educational opportunities
• Travel partner Discounts/ rates on own holiday bookings
• Access to The Hub – our dedicated Intranet site
• Reduced cost CLIA Membership – The Worlds largest Cruise Industry Trade association
• Travel CRM Software included free for first 12 months of trading with preferential rates thereafter
• Your Business, Your time – Total Flexibility

New Travel Consultant

Build your own business by working with your family, friends and local businesses as well as engaging with your local and social network communities

• Two weeks Virtual Induction Training
• 12 month training programme delivered by our award winning training team, Suppliers & Business Development Coaches
• Admin Assist and Holiday Customer Services Cover
• Business in a box - Laptop and Telephony

£8,000 + VAT

Payment Plans Available

New Travel Consultant - Leads Supported

Join our Academy Leads Supported and we will provide you with Quality Leads for you to work, and convert into bookings. This gives you the opportunity to build up your knowledge and experience and have enquiries at your fingertips to get started.

• Three weeks Virtual Induction Training
• Free Quality sales Leads by telephone, email or Live Chat

Experienced Travel Professional

If you have at least 2 years experience working in a UK Travel Agency, that is within the last 5 years, and are looking for a new home, or want to start your own business, Hays Travel can provide Industry leading Commission levels and Training to support you build your own business.

• One week Induction Training
• Travel partner discounts / rates on own holiday bookings
• Access to The Hub - our dedicated Intranet site
• Preferential Rates with Travel CRM Software

Experienced Travel Consultant

Build you own business by working with your family, friends and local businesses as well engaging with your local and social network communities.

• Your Business, Your Time – Total Flexibility
• Progression Planning - Tailored support to ensure your business grows and succeeds
• Marketing Materials, Personalised Website and Specialist Social Media Support
• Business in a box – Laptop and Telephony Included

plus a Monthly Management fee applies

We will help you build your business and increase your database by providing free quality sales leads by telephone, email and Live Chat.

• Provided with unlimited quality sales leads to help grow your database
• Admin Support – Allowing you to focus on selling holidays and building your database
• Progression Planning – Tailored support to ensure your business grows and succeeds

Don't just take our word for it…

We are a business that keeps it simple. We deliver on our promises and offer exceptional service for our people as they do for our customers.

You will be part of the family, and we want to support your growth. We work with you to develop your own personalised strategy to support your future success.

Can I choose my own hours?

You choose the hours that you work, our self-employed packages are completely flexible. It's your business, so the more hours you put in, the more you get out.

Is there a minimum sales value?

There are no sales values put in place for you. What you achieve is simply down to you and how much hard work you put in.

How long will it take to be up and running?

Once we receive your signed consultancy agreement, we can have you up and running in four to six weeks.

What kind of support will I receive?

You are supported by travel industry professionals working in a number of head office departments. In addition to this you will have a dedicated homeworking support team as well a business development team who are on hand to answer queries and give you advice on how to market your business.

Is there any out-of-hours support?

Absolutely, many of our departments are open well in to the evening and on weekends; we are on hand to help and support you.

What happens when I go on holiday?

We have a customer service team who can help with bookings and queries on existing bookings whilst you are away.

How much can I earn?

That is entirely up to you, the more you put in the more you get out. The earning potential is unlimited. Our top sales-people all say that they make more now, than they ever could working in a branch/call center. Several of our homeworkers' profit was over £100k last year, of which they receive 60%.

Are there monthly management fees?

The Academy New to Travel Models have no monthly management fee for the first 12 months. The fee will then be £55 per month. The Experienced Travel Professional PTC Models, the management fee is £55 per month.

Is there an upfront deposit for the New to Travel / Academy model?

Yes, if you choose the New to Travel Academy model, you will be required to pay a upfront deposit of £2400 inclusive of VAT. This equates to 6 months of your New to Travel Academy payment upfront and is non refundable.

Will the Leads Supported model have any expectations of me?

In order to make the Leads Supported model work for you, you will need to ensure you have a working pattern you can commit to be online ready to take calls, emails or live chat. Your Business Development Coach will support you with conversion of the leads and offer coaching and development where needed & can share with you the busiest times of the day to work to assist with your planning.

What is the payment plan option for the New to Travel Academy model?

You will pay the upfront deposit of £2400 inclusive of VAT at time of purchase. This will cover the first 6 months of trading. In month 7 for a remaining term of 18 months, you will pay £400 per calendar month.

What does a travel agent do?

Would you make a good travel agent? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

What is a Travel Agent?

A travel agent assists individuals or groups in planning, organizing, and booking various aspects of their travel arrangements. They act as intermediaries between travelers and travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and tour operators. Travel agents have in-depth knowledge of different destinations, travel options, and industry trends, which they leverage to provide personalized recommendations and advice to their clients.

One of the primary roles of a travel agent is to help clients navigate the complex world of travel. They listen to their clients' preferences, budget constraints, and desired experiences, and then work towards creating a tailored itinerary that meets their needs. Travel agents handle tasks such as booking flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and excursions, ensuring that all the necessary arrangements are made smoothly. They can also provide valuable insights on visa requirements, travel insurance, and local customs, helping travelers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

What does a Travel Agent do?

Travel agents possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the travel industry, including destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and guidance to travelers, helping them make informed decisions and create well-planned itineraries that meet their specific needs and preferences. They also have access to a wide range of resources and tools that enable them to efficiently search for the best deals, discounts, and promotions available. They can often secure exclusive rates and packages, saving their clients both time and money.

Duties and Responsibilities Here are some common tasks and responsibilities associated with being a travel agent:

• Client Consultation: Travel agents engage in thorough consultations with clients to understand their travel preferences, requirements, and budget. They ask relevant questions to gather necessary information and provide personalized recommendations based on the client's needs.
• Itinerary Planning: Based on client preferences, travel agents create detailed travel itineraries that include destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities. They consider factors like travel dates, budget constraints, and any specific requests from clients.
• Reservation and Booking: Travel agents handle the booking process for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related services. They ensure that all bookings are made accurately and efficiently, securing the best available rates and deals for their clients.
• Travel Documentation and Logistics: Travel agents assist clients in obtaining necessary travel documents such as passports, visas, and travel insurance. They provide guidance on the documentation process and ensure that clients have all the required paperwork in order. Agents also handle logistical aspects like seat assignments, baggage allowances, and transportation arrangements.
• Knowledge of Destinations: Travel agents possess extensive knowledge about various destinations, including popular attractions, local customs, weather conditions, and safety considerations. They provide valuable information and recommendations to clients, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their travel plans.
• Customer Service: Travel agents offer exceptional customer service throughout the entire travel process. They address client inquiries, resolve any issues or concerns that may arise, and provide support during the trip. Agents act as a point of contact for emergencies and assist clients in making alternative arrangements if necessary.
• Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends: To provide the best service to clients, travel agents stay updated with the latest industry trends, travel regulations, and changes in travel technology. They attend industry conferences, participate in training programs, and conduct research to ensure their knowledge is current.
• Sales and Marketing: Some travel agents engage in sales and marketing activities to attract new clients and promote travel packages and services. They may participate in trade shows, develop promotional materials, and utilize online platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Financial Management: Travel agents handle financial transactions related to travel bookings, including processing payments, issuing refunds, and managing invoices. They maintain accurate records of financial transactions and ensure compliance with accounting procedures.
• Continuous Learning: Travel agents continuously enhance their skills and knowledge by staying updated on travel industry trends, new destinations, and emerging technologies. They actively seek opportunities for professional development to provide the best possible service to their clients.

Types of Travel Agents There are various types of travel agents, each specializing in different aspects of travel and catering to specific clientele. Here are some common types of travel agents and what they do:

• Leisure Travel Agents: Leisure travel agents focus on organizing vacations and leisure trips for individuals, families, or groups. They assist clients in planning and booking all aspects of their leisure travel, including flights, accommodations, tours, and activities. Leisure travel agents may specialize in specific types of travel, such as beach vacations, cruises, adventure travel, or luxury travel.
• Corporate Travel Agents: Corporate travel agents primarily cater to business travelers and companies. They handle the complex travel needs of corporate clients, including booking flights, arranging accommodations, managing itineraries, and coordinating travel logistics. Corporate travel agents are familiar with business travel policies, negotiated rates, and preferred vendors to ensure cost-effective and efficient travel arrangements for their clients.
• Group Travel Agents: Group travel agents specialize in organizing travel for large groups, such as family reunions, weddings, school trips, or corporate retreats. They handle group bookings for flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities, negotiating group rates and coordinating logistics to accommodate the specific needs and preferences of the group.
• Tour Operators: Tour operators design and operate pre-packaged tours and travel itineraries. They create comprehensive tour packages that include transportation, accommodations, guided tours, and activities. Tour operators often work with travel agents to sell their tour packages, providing them with a ready-made product to offer their clients.
• Destination Specialists: Destination specialists focus on specific regions, countries, or cities. They have in-depth knowledge of the destination's culture, attractions, local experiences, and logistical considerations. Destination specialists provide expert advice and create customized itineraries for travelers seeking in-depth exploration of a particular destination.
• Online Travel Agents (OTAs): Online travel agents operate through internet platforms and websites, offering a wide range of travel services. They allow customers to search, compare, and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services online. Online travel agents may also provide customer support and assistance through online chat or call centers.
• Niche Travel Agents: Niche travel agents specialize in specific types of travel, catering to niche markets or specialized interests. Examples include adventure travel agents, luxury travel agents, honeymoon specialists, culinary travel agents, or eco-tourism experts. These agents have extensive knowledge and expertise in their niche area, curating unique experiences and tailored itineraries for clients with specific interests.

Are you suited to be a travel agent?

Travel agents have distinct personalities . They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if travel agent is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Travel Agent like?

The workplace of a travel agent can vary depending on their specific employment arrangement. Some travel agents work in traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies, which may be part of a larger travel company or operate independently. In these settings, travel agents typically have a physical office space with workstations, computers, and travel industry resources such as brochures, destination guides, and reservation systems. They may have a reception area to welcome clients and conduct in-person consultations.

With the increasing prevalence of remote work and online booking platforms, many travel agents now have the flexibility to work from home or in virtual offices. They utilize technology, such as laptops, smartphones, and high-speed internet, to communicate with clients, access travel resources, and make online bookings. Virtual travel agents often communicate with clients via phone, email, or video conferencing, offering the convenience of remote consultations.

Travel agents also frequently visit destinations, attend industry conferences, and participate in familiarization trips organized by travel suppliers. These opportunities allow them to gain firsthand experience, build relationships with suppliers, and stay updated on the latest travel trends. While travel agents spend a significant amount of time working at their desks, they also have the chance to explore and experience the destinations they recommend to their clients.

In terms of work hours, travel agents may have a standard office schedule, working weekdays during regular business hours. However, they may also need to be flexible, accommodating clients in different time zones or assisting with emergency situations outside of regular office hours. The workload of travel agents can vary throughout the year, with peak periods during holiday seasons or when there are significant events or festivals happening in popular destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pros and cons of being a travel agent.

Being a travel agent can be an exciting and rewarding career for individuals who are passionate about travel and enjoy helping others create memorable experiences. However, like any profession, there are pros and cons to consider.

• Travel Opportunities: One of the major advantages of being a travel agent is the exposure to diverse travel opportunities. Travel agents often have the chance to visit destinations, experience different cultures, and explore new places as part of their job. This firsthand experience not only enhances their knowledge but also allows them to provide valuable insights and recommendations to clients.
• Personal Satisfaction: For individuals who are passionate about travel and helping others, being a travel agent can be personally fulfilling. The ability to create personalized itineraries and witness the joy and excitement of clients as they embark on their dream trips can be highly rewarding.
• Knowledge and Expertise: Travel agents develop a deep understanding of destinations, travel products, and industry trends. They stay up-to-date with the latest information, including visa requirements, safety advisories, and emerging travel destinations. This expertise allows them to provide valuable advice and recommendations to clients, ensuring they have well-planned and memorable travel experiences.
• Building Relationships: Travel agents have the opportunity to build strong relationships with clients, travel suppliers, and industry professionals. They can establish a network of contacts that can enhance their business and open doors for collaboration and future opportunities.
• Industry Changes and Competition: The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies, online booking platforms, and dynamic pricing models. Travel agents must stay updated with these changes and adapt their business practices accordingly. The rise of online travel agencies and self-booking options has increased competition, requiring travel agents to differentiate themselves and provide added value to their clients.
• Workload and Time Management: The travel industry can be demanding, especially during peak travel seasons. Travel agents may need to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate client needs and handle emergencies. Proper time management skills are essential to balance the workload and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Pressure for Exceptional Customer Service: Travel agents are expected to deliver outstanding customer service consistently. They must handle client inquiries, resolve issues, and manage expectations throughout the travel process. This level of customer service can be challenging, particularly when dealing with unforeseen circumstances or dissatisfied clients.
• Commission-Based Income: While some travel agents receive a salary or hourly wage, others rely on commission-based income. This means their earnings are directly tied to the bookings they secure for clients. It can take time to build a client base and establish a steady income stream, especially in the early stages of a travel agent's career.

Travel Agents are also known as: Travel Consultant

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Find the best homeworking travel company for you

Are you planning to set up as a homeworker or are you looking to switch to a new consortium? Then Travel Gossip has got you covered!

There are so many homeworking travel companies out there that it can be hard to choose the right one for you, especially as it’s not always easy to find crucial information, such as exactly how much you’ll be charged, how much you’ll earn or how long you’ll have to wait to be paid.

Fortunately Travel Gossip has done the research for you and produced this handy guide, featuring only the homeworking groups that agreed to fill out our questionnaire with details about what they offer agents and how much they charge for their services.

So whether you’re a newbie agent or an experienced homeworker, this guide will help you find the perfect match.

Just click on the logos below to see a chart with all the homeworking travel company’s details. 

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Travel Agent Career

What is a travel agent.

A travel agent is a highly organized professional who is passionate about travel and helping others. They are focused on creating the best possible experiences, directly catered to their clients. They work with hotels, airlines, and other vendors to create travel packages and experiences that their clients will love. Travel agents can work with large groups, individuals, families, professional organizations, and others to help create seamless travel experiences that help create memories.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Travel Agent Do?

The primary role of a travel agent is to help people make travel arrangements, which might include booking flights, hotels, sightseeing tours, and making dining recommendations. A travel agent assesses each customer’s unique needs, preferences, and budget to ensure their trip goes as smoothly as possible. 

Here are the core day-to-day responsibilities you’ll typically find yourself performing as a travel agent:

• Meeting with clients to discuss upcoming travel plans and gather information regarding travel dates, transportation, and budget. This may be done face-to-face in a brick-and-mortar setting or online.
• Planning the travel itineraries for clients and arranging transportation, lodging, and activities throughout the trip.
• Advising clients on important aspects of their travel plans. This may include providing information on passports, visas, customs, insurance, vaccinations, and trip cancellation policies.
• Keeping accurate records of client bookings, such as payments, travel dates, flight numbers, and hotel check-in and check-out dates
• Handling any travel issues that arise, including flight or hotel cancellations, delays, conflicts, and refunds.

Due to the customer-focused nature of travel agent jobs, it’s ideal to be passionate about and/or have experience in hospitality. Those who make the best travel agents tend to be versatile and have a friendly personality where they’re concerned with keeping clients happy, comfortable, and safe. 

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

How do i become a travel agent.

Travel agents are key professionals dedicated to helping individuals and families create memories that will last a lifetime. Through their expertise, research, and services, individuals can plan vacations or trips that are directly catered to their wants and needs. Planning a dream vacation can be stressful for an individual or a family, and having a travel agent can make the process much easier.

If you’re passionate about travel, organization, and helping others, a career as a travel agent can be a great fit.

What Education Does a Travel Agent Need?

A bachelor’s degree in business management  is a great starting place for those interested in becoming a travel agent. This type of degree will give you experience and knowledge in finances, marketing, organization, and strategy. This is key for those who are working with multiple clients, vendors, handling budgets, and marketing themselves to clients. A bachelor’s degree can help you stand out from other candidates in working for larger companies and organizations as well.

Best Degrees for a Travel Agent

Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...

Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:

• Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
• Tuition:  $3,755 per 6-month term
• Courses : 40 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include: 

• Business communication
• Product development
• Decision making models
• Project management strategies
• Budgeting for business

This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.

Leadership Certificate – School of Business

Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the...

Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the help of a leadership certificate from the School of Business.

• Time: 4 months from start to finish.
• Cost:  $2,250 for the certificate.
• Courses: 3 courses total in this program.

This program is for emerging leaders, however this program does not require a bachelor’s degree, and provides transferable credit towards a WGU degree program.

Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, this certificate can give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:

• Finance and Banking
• Manufacturing

How Much Does a Travel Agent Make?

Several factors determine travel agent salary, including location, level of education, certifications, years of experience, and the specific company they’re working for. Top earners in this industry, according to ZipRecruiter, make as much as  $64,500 per year , while the lowest earners make closer to $20,500. In terms of median pay, recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put it at  $42,350 in 2020 , which comes out to $20.36 per hour. 

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

Admittedly, the job outlook in the near future is lower than in other industries. Research from the BLS states that from 2020-2029, there’s  expected to be a 26% decline  in the job outlook, which translates into a drop of 21,300 jobs. This is largely due to the rising popularity of travel booking sites like Priceline and Kayak, where a growing number of people are booking trips online themselves. However, according to the BLS, the growth in business management is expected to grow 4% in the next 10 years.

What Skills Does a Travel Agent Need?

A career in this industry requires a travel agent to have a definitive skill set, with some of the key skills being:

• Interpersonal skills.  Travel agents will constantly be interacting with clients in-person, over the phone, and through email. In turn, they need to be strong verbal and written communicators, empathetic, and understanding of the individual needs of each client.
• Organization.  Because they may be juggling trips for several clients at a time, travel agents must be highly organized and capable of effectively managing a high volume of booking information.
• Problem-solving.  Travel logistics are inherently complex where issues can pop up at any given time. Great travel agents have a knack for handling incidents and quickly resolving problems while maintaining their poise.
• Attention to detail.  It’s easy to mix-up things like flight departure and arrival times, hotel check-ins, and transportation rentals, which is why travel agents need to be detail-oriented.
• A firm understanding of technology.  This career is heavily reliant on technology like travel booking platforms and appointment scheduling software. Travel agents not only need to have a firm grasp of this technology but be willing to continually learn about new developments and iterations. 

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Why Use a Regional Travel Specialist?

I am not telling you to use any travel agent. I’m saying there is a value in using an agent or tour operator, who specializes in planning trips to the place you are thinking of traveling, be it Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America or even more regularly traveled places like Europe.

What Can a Travel Specialist Do for Me? Tour operators or agents who specialize in a given region are your greatest asset in getting the best possible experience. They have insights into the best deals and properties and the best ones see themselves as advocates both for you and for tourism in the countries they specialize in. A regional expert is able to take what you tell them about the experience you want on your trip, your reality based budget and uses their wealth of knowledge to make it all work in a seamless itinerary at best possible price.

Here are just a few of the advantages of using a regional travel specialist (while the examples I use here are from Africa because that is the area that Extraordinary Journeys specializes in, the principles apply to all regional travel specialist):

First Hand Knowledge An expert’s greatest value is that they have firsthand experience and opinions about hundreds of properties in the regions they specialize in and can give you insights that you cannot get online.

For example in East and Southern Africa there are camps that are great in the low season because they have great game viewing year round or because they are in areas where they actually get better in less popular seasons. Knowledge of the places where you can take advantage of low season rates without compromising game-viewing or activities is one of the huge advantages of using a regional expert. For example: We recently moved a client’s stay in Cape Town from the beginning of their trip to the end so they could take advantage of the very end of the shoulder season in the beginning of June in Botswana and saved them $3000.

Because of their first hand knowledge or properties in a specific region, travel specialists also know the value for money properties ; the hidden gems which are comparatively cheap but have great guides or a stunning location. On the flip-side they know the properties that look amazing online or get incredible TripAdvisor reviews that just don’t live up to the hype. TripAdvisor is a great tool but can benefit bigger properties because bad reviews have less of an impact on their overall rating than one bad review for a smaller property. Firsthand experience can help you sort that out.

In addition, for every country and region there are hundreds of specials out there (Stay 3 pay 2, 50% off for brides, free nights and transfers if you stay at a combination of several properties). These deals change frequently and have specific conditions and exclusions. Travel specialists are up-to-date on all the best deals in their regions and can quickly pull together an itinerary that makes the best use of them.

Long Term Relationships Travel specialists have relationships with tour operators and properties in the regions they specialize in. This means they can make sure you get the best possible experience and treatment at every property. For example just because a “bush breakfast” is an included activity at a safari camp doesn’t mean they are going to do it for 100% for their guests. But they will if your specialist (who they have a long term relationship with) reminds them that it is something you are really looking forward to. These long term relationships can also mean that sometimes when a deal crops up for properties that you have already booked, the relationship between the specialist and the property will get you that deal retroactively. They might able to get it and they might not, but you won’t get it on your own.

How Much is Your Time Worth? If you think planning a trip yourself makes it free think about how much you would charge someone else for your services. Then figure that planning your own trip by doing online research will take you about 40 hours. You have better ways to use that time and a regional specialist could get you better results.

It’s also worth noting that booking through a regional travel specialist will cost you the same as booking online. They make their commission from hotels (camps, lodges etc) not from you. Booking online won’t save you a ton and you’ll miss out on regionally specific knowledge that could make your trip better.

Finally, what happens if your flight gets cancelled, you miss your flight or the property loses your reservation? All these things can cost you money, time and cause you stress. The travel specialist always has a back up plan and it is their job to handle that situation which means less worry for you.

What it comes down to is; if you want a really a tight budget and have lots of time to do the research then you should book your trip on your own. But, if you are traveling to a country or a part of the world you know little about and want a seamless trip at a great value, then use an expert. You will save money on the trip itself and hours and hours of your time.

For more information on Why Use a Regional Travel Specialist email [email protected]

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Homeworking Travel Agent Vacancy

We lcome to  sn travel homeworking   .

Come and join the SN Travel family!  If you are an experienced travel professional and keen on starting or continuing running your own business, we have the perfect  solution for you  – and you will be supported 100% of the time!    

• Passionate about Travel and  Holidays ?  
• Able to work flexible  hours ?  
• An expert in selling holidays in a retail  environment ?     
• A strong  communicator ?  
• Passionate about delivering an outstanding level of customer service ?  
• Self-motivated ?  

  If the answer to the questions above is  yes  then we would like to talk to you .  Contact Max on  0203 793 9447 or email me  

What you can expect from SN Travel

• If you join SN Travel you will have the opportunity, support and tools to sell holidays either by developing your very own client base or taking enquiries from SN Travel Customers, with no upfront costs and a friendly yet professional team behind you, success is our key priority.  
• Full training provided  from the  comfort of your home   
• A ll the tools needed to sell holidays and communicate with your customers efficiently and effectively  
• Complete flexibility around your needs  as long as  you are available for your clients and able to complete your workload in a timely manner.  
• Uncapped and generous commission levels paid the following month from when the booking is made  
• Access to hundreds of hotel and flight nett rates worldwide, our reservation system makes it easy to search, select and book holidays  
• Product training and opportunity to take part educational visits/FAM trips  
• Total support on product,  marketing  and administration  24/7   
• Your very own website  with booking engine  capabilities ,  newsletters and social media support  
• Self employed  accounting support (we are there to work with you through the process and facilitate understanding of  self  assessment  )  
• You will receive special rates on all your personal holidays  

What some of our Homeworkers  say:  

“ I have worked for 3 homeworking companies including SN Travel. For me, SN Travel has the best offering by far! It’s a family run business where I know everyone by  name and I am not just a number. I enjoy the flexibility that SN Travel offers; I am not chased for figures or hours but simply left to run my business as I see fit which for me is a huge bonus. Having said that if I ever need assistance or advice then it’s just a phone call away!”   Karen – Flop Flip Travel     “ Working with SN Travel for me has been quite transformational for my business. Their homeworking solution is perfect for me as they offer good commission levels, flexibility and tools necessary enabling  me the ability to focus on running my business and service my clients. “   Cynthia – Cherished Travel      “Working with SN travel as a homeworker has given me the freedom to manage my time and work around my family commitments.  Everyone is friendly and support is there 24/ 7 .   They are there for you to grow as a person and your business. ”  Jacquie Brady     “SN Travel is great as I have the opportunity to earn some good commission as long as I work hard at it.  The support is there 24/7 and it’s  immediate, they truly care about me and want me to do well which is a rare trait to find in any company these days.”  Clare Williams      

To apply for this travel consultant vacancy please send your CV to us today!

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What does a travel agency do?

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What does a travel agency do? You will almost definitely have heard of travel agencies if you have ever booked a holiday or have an interest in the tourism industry. But what exactly is a travel agency, and what do they do?

What is a travel agency?

Independent travel agents, online travel agencies , visitor information centres, other types of travel agency, what can a travel agency book, big names in the travel agency industry, travel agency business model, a brief timeline of travel agencies, further reading.

A travel agency is essentially the ‘middle man’ between travel companies and the general public i.e consumers. They book all sorts of travel-related experiences for customers on behalf of larger companies.

The main aim of a travel agency is to make the booking process simpler for the public, who might lack the time or confidence to book trips themselves.

Types of travel agencies

So what does a travel agency do? It mostly depends on what type of travel agency you’re looking at. This can be broken down into the following types…

An independent travel agent is the type you’ll see on Instagram or with their own Facebook pages, their feeds full of snaps from Amsterdam, Bali , or New York City. They tend to partner with a ‘host agency’, who will take a portion of the agents’ commission themselves in exchange for letting them use the company software and access their commission. Travel agents are also able to recruit other people, and in turn get a cut of their commission too. In this way, independent travel agencies tend to be a type of multi-level marketing scheme.

Online travel agencies are much more consumer-focused. They allow individual customers to book their own travel, but as a package or with the added protection from ATOL and ABTA. They act as a broker, allowing you to input your dates, desired destination(s), what board basis you wish to travel and so on. The site then pulls together a package deal, allowing you to book everything in one go with access to booking details so you can make amendments and keep up to date with any changes.

While these don’t offer flights and hotels generally, visitor or tourist information centres are found within cities or tourist destinations. They provide advice, maps, discounts and booking services for tours and excursions such as open top bus tours. These are usually run by local or national governments, or specific tourist boards. They are great for recommendations when travelling somewhere new!

Hotel concierge services work in this same way, often getting commission for booking trips for guests.

I won’t go into too much detail here, but there are other types of travel agencies too. You can learn more in this post about the different types of travel agents .

Overall, what does a travel agency do?

A travel agency does a multitude of things. During non-peak times, they will mostly spend their days researching new or upcoming tourist destinations and what makes them so great, advertising them as somewhere people can book future holidays to.

Travel agencies are also required to keep up to date with safety information for various destinations. They do plenty of research meaning they can tell customers about the best places to go, what they can do while they’re there, what documents they need and so on. This is particularly important now, as travel advice is ever-changing with regards to political conflicts and public health.

But during peak times and in the run-up to these times, travel agents will be busy actually booking trips. Nowadays they mostly do everything via the computer, using the internet to put holiday packages together which include at least the basics – flights and accommodation – for one price. However, they also call travel companies directly in order to get better deals or to see if there are rooms or seats available which might not be showing online for whatever reason. Because of this, travel agencies and agents tend to have great relationships with particular brands.

Travel agents can book much more than just flights and accommodation. Not all of them can book all of these experiences or features, but it is definitely worth asking if you are using a travel agency to book your next vacation.

• Flights – short haul, long haul, & various classes
• Accommodation – hotels, apartments, and villas
• Airport transfers
• Executive airport lounges
• Airport parking
• Cruises – river and ocean
• Car rentals
• Travel insurance
• Excursions and tours
• Taxi services
• Currency exchange
• Train tickets
• Theme park & water park tickets e.g Disneyworld and Universal in Orlando, Florida

They will also advise on public transport services and timetables, as well as arranging for medical items to be delivered and any access requests you have.

Most travel agencies are actually online, and many of us use them regularly. There are still some in-store travel agencies, but with the impact of both modernisation and the Covid-19 pandemic the majority are online now. Below are some big names within the industry which you will likely recognise.

Expedia – founded by Microsoft in 2001

Cruise.com – specifically for booking cruises

American Express Travel – allows you to earn & use points when booking

Audley Travel – the largest operator in tailor-made travel

loveholidays – a British company founded in 2012

Lastminute.com – offering cheaper travel when you book last minute

Kiwi.com – specifically for booking air and ground transport

Booking Holdings – these are a travel technology company who own Booking.com, Cheapflights, OpenTable and more

Now we’ve looked at the question of ‘ what is a travel agency’, let’s take a look at the generic business model. Generally, travel agencies work in one of two ways. The first way is by receiving commission from the companies they book experiences with for customers. For example, if you were to use a travel agency to book your next holiday which included flights, a hotel stay and a transfer to and from the airport this is three separate components which will be booked through three different companies. The travel agency will receive commission from each of the three companies. There may be other benefits and incentives offered by the travel companies. Commission rates and these benefits mean that travel agencies are more likely to use some companies more so than others who might offer them less in exchange.

Alternatively, travel agencies will charge a fee for their services. This makes it more expensive for consumers to book trips through travel agents and agencies than it would to book themselves. However, as some people don’t feel confident booking themselves, many are happy to pay this additional cost. Holidays booked through travel agencies often come with the added benefit of being ATOL and ABTA protected.

• Cox & Kings were the first travel agency, was established in 1758
• Abreu Agency was the first public travel agency, was established in 1840
• Thomas Cook , one of the most famous travel agencies, was founded in 1841
• Brownwell Travel, the first travel agency in the US, was established in 1895
• Nippon Travel Agency was the first travel agency in Japan, established in 1905
• Intourist became the official state travel agency of the Soviet Union in 1929
• The first travel agency in Australia which went on to become Helloworld Travel, was established in 1951
• Henderson Travel Service became the first Black-owned travel agency, taking Black tourists to various African countries, in 1955
• American Airlines’ Sabre unit created a direct-to=consumer booking tool for flights, hotels and cars in the early 1980s
• Mode Tour became the first travel agency in South Korea, established in 1989
• Hotel Reservations Network, which went on to become Hotels.com, was established in 1991 – at this point, hotels didn’t pay a lot of commission so it didn’t take off
• Travelweb.com, the first online hotel directory, launched in 1994
• The Internet Travel Network sold the first airline ticket online in 1995
• Expedia launched in 1996, funded by Microsoft, and are now one of the biggest travel agencies 
• In 2007, as the iPhone was released, more bookings were made online because mobile apps were now in use
• Airbnb was established in 2008
• HotelTonight, specifically for instant same-day hotel room bookings, was launched in 2011

If you enjoyed this article explaining what does a travel agency do, then I am sure you will enjoy these articles too-

• What is a tour operator and how does it work?
• The 3 types of travel and tourism organisations
• 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary
• The 9 types of tourist destinations
• 50 fascinating facts about the travel and tourism industry

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• Home: Explore careers

Travel agent

Alternative titles for this job include travel consultant.

Travel agents book business and leisure travel for customers.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

£27,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

How to become a travel agent.

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

You could do a Level 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could do a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship.

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• guide to apprenticeships

You can start as a trainee travel agent and receive on-the-job training from your employer.

There are no set entry requirements, but a good general standard of education is expected. Some employers may ask for English and maths GCSEs or equivalent. Good geographical knowledge will also be helpful.

Career tips

It may help if you have customer service experience and can speak a second language.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in travel from the Institute of Travel & Tourism .

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• administration skills
• active listening skills
• persuading skills
• a desire to help people
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

In this role you could:

• talk to customers to understand their needs
• help customers find a suitable package holiday or plan independent travel
• make bookings and payments using online computer systems
• advise customers about passports, insurance, visas, vaccinations, tours and vehicle hire
• inform customers of changes like cancelled flights
• arrange refunds and handle complaints
• meet sales targets
• keep up to date with developments in the travel industry

Working environment

You could work in a contact centre or at a store.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

With training and experience, there may be opportunities to progress into senior roles like:

• branch or call centre manager
• operations director
• regional director

You could also move into other roles in the travel sector, like tour operating.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england, apprentice travel consultant.

• Wage: £9,984.00 Annually
• Location: Wetherby

TUI Retail Apprentice

• Wage: £13,530.00 Annually
• Location: White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds

Courses In England

Travel and tourism diploma.

• Provider: LUTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
• Start date: 05 September 2024
• Location: Luton

DIPLOMA IN TRAVEL & TOURISM

• Provider: NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
• Start date: 02 September 2024
• Location: DAVENTRY

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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